Jan Challenge--overwhelmed Already?

[[old] tigger2esq]

OK--I couldnt row on the 1st for various reasons but was able to sneak in 6k yesterday and was feeling pretty good until I checked the challenge stats and WOW-- there are some people who have already logged over 50k and several who have already hit 100k... how is that possible??? we are only 2 days into the challenge. I dont want this to discourage me but I am just curious how anyone can log that many meters in 2 days???<br /><br />I feel bad that my rowing might drag down the meters per rower in our team... I was going to shoot for 100k-125k for the month which I thought would be admirable <br /><br />

[[old] voodoogirl]

<!--QuoteBegin-tigger2esq+Jan 3 2006, 08:59 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tigger2esq @ Jan 3 2006, 08:59 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->OK--I couldnt row on the 1st for various reasons but was able to sneak in 6k yesterday and was feeling pretty good until I checked the challenge stats and WOW-- there are some people who have already logged over 50k and several who have already hit 100k... how is that possible???  we are only 2 days into the challenge.  I dont want this to discourage me but I am just curious how anyone can log that many meters in 2 days???<br /><br />I feel bad that my rowing might drag down the meters per rower in our team...  I was going to shoot for 100k-125k for the month which I thought would be admirable  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />I hear you! I'm not sure how they are doing it either--I'm brand new to rowing, though, and I think from reading all the posts so far what counts is total meters--someone correct me if I'm wrong here? So every little bit counts. I'm out of town the last week of the month, when I'm sure the big push will be on, but hope to contribute as much as I physically can before then.<br /><br />Can someone else speak to meters/rower? <br /><br />On the bright side, we're in 2nd place! Yay for us and, as someone pointed out recently, this could be a tortoise and hare phenomenon--slow and steady wins the race. <br /><br />IMHO, and as a newcomer to all this, I think anything you can do is a huge help to the team overall. The strong ones may carry us, but we are all contributing, and it encourages me to see others rowing the lesser amounts of mere mortals... <br /><br />Laurie<br />Mt. Rainier, Md

[[old] Citroen]

<!--QuoteBegin-tigger2esq+Jan 3 2006, 01:59 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tigger2esq @ Jan 3 2006, 01:59 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->OK--I couldnt row on the 1st for various reasons but was able to sneak in 6k yesterday and was feeling pretty good until I checked the challenge stats and WOW-- there are some people who have already logged over 50k and several who have already hit 100k... how is that possible???  we are only 2 days into the challenge.  I dont want this to discourage me but I am just curious how anyone can log that many meters in 2 days???<br /><br />I feel bad that my rowing might drag down the meters per rower in our team...  I was going to shoot for 100k-125k for the month which I thought would be admirable  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Renee, it's not just about the metres. It's about the team spirit and the motivation to row. Someone like Speedy Dwayne Adams is a rowing machine, he's constantly doing 44K per day - I don't know how he does that, I don't know how he finds time. <br /><br />For the 2005/6 season I'm currently averaging 7,200 per day. For January I've done 23K (in two sessions). Each session in the gym takes 20mins of cycling to get there and back. I don't have a C2 at home.<br /><br />The Holiday Challenge needed about 7K per day to complete the 200K between Thanksgiving and Xmas Eve. <br /><br />Stick at what you're doing, every metre counts. Don't feel bad. <br /><b>Above all, enjoy your rowing.</b>

[[old] Kelebek]

<!--QuoteBegin-tigger2esq+Jan 4 2006, 01:59 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tigger2esq @ Jan 4 2006, 01:59 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->OK--I couldnt row on the 1st for various reasons but was able to sneak in 6k yesterday and was feeling pretty good until I checked the challenge stats and WOW-- there are some people who have already logged over 50k and several who have already hit 100k... how is that possible???  we are only 2 days into the challenge.  I dont want this to discourage me but I am just curious how anyone can log that many meters in 2 days???<br /><br />I feel bad that my rowing might drag down the meters per rower in our team...  I was going to shoot for 100k-125k for the month which I thought would be admirable  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Renee<br /><br />Some people are machines and obviously like longer distances. That's okay. Remember they might have been rowing since Adam was a boy and have enough spare time in the day to do huge metres. Don't worry about it. Do what you want to do, at a pace that is comfortable for you. Any metres are good metres!<br /><br />Remember the tortoise and the hare story? Well, just keep plugging away at it and achieve your goal. The Challenge is about you and helping your team get up the board but at a pace that you can sustain. <br /><br />Cheers <br /><br />Marian

[LindaM]

The Challenges and competitions are all about winning - every one of us winning. So what is winning? Winning is finding the motivation to care as much about myself as all the other loved ones in my life. Winning is remembering to eat well and thoughtfully. Winning is doing something physical that gets my heart beating faster for at least a half an hour a day. Winning is having fun and making friends - feeling less alone with the stresses and obligations of life. Meters and rankings somehow remind me of those more important ways of winning. But honestly, winning is not at all about meters or ranking for me.

[[old] kinley]

Some people have been doing this forever and are pretty well inured to the horror of long slogs on the erg. <br /><br />Remember also that the JVTC standings rank quantity, not quality.<br />

[[old] efg]

Hello Renee,<br /><br />Your post has gotten great replies. Don't get too caught up in the numbers. 100K in 2 days is not typical. I've rowed more in the past 2 days than at any other time in my life, because I thought it would be neat to start the challenge (and the year) with a marathon, but I certainly can't do one every day! 100k-125k for the month is a great goal. The Holiday Challenge is 100k or 200k and for me (and most people) the Holiday Challenge IS a real challenge.<br /><br />When I look at the team standings page and see how many people have rowed, I think it's fantastic. I'm really glad Concept 2 organizes these challenges to keep rowing fun and interesting. For me, the focus is on the FUN part. It keeps me exercising. Yes, it's nice that our team is in second place, but as Linda wrote, everyone taking part in the challenge is a winner.<br /><br />So jump in without any worries - your meters are just as good as everyone else's!<br /><br />Emilia

[[old] tigger2esq]

thanks for the replies and encouragement. I guess I was just shocked to see those numbers already. <br /><br />I plan to stick with it (since I am also doing the weight loss challenge!! ) I am glad to hear I am not alone. I did ONE 10k row during the Holiday challenge and paid for it afterwards so I think my max will be 7.5k at any one sitting. My hardest part is finding time as I am a full-time lawyer AND mommy so my exercise time is limited to after putting baby to bed (usually around 8:30pm). I like to be done with any exercise by 9/9:30 so I can have some other quality "me" time and spend a little time with my hubby as well!

[[old] grams]

Some folks are erging to better their already fast times. Some older folks erg slowly and have the time to keep at it every day for 2 hours. Some folks erg to stay in shape for other sports. Some folks are getting over surgery or an injury and need non-weight bearing exercise. Me I erg because it makes me feel and look good.<br /><br />Do what works for you, and you won't stop using the machine after a month.<br /><br />I lost 35 pounds the first year on the erg, and can testify that it was time well spent. Quality time with my husband got a lot more 'quality' for both of us. <br /><br />Us January Challenge NATE-ites are not as concerned with overal cumulative meters as we are with just getting on the machine every day or so and enjoying it.<br /><br />'If it feels good, do it'<br /><br />grams

[[old] loonylady]

<!--QuoteBegin-tigger2esq+Jan 3 2006, 09:59 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tigger2esq @ Jan 3 2006, 09:59 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->OK--I couldnt row on the 1st for various reasons but was able to sneak in 6k yesterday and was feeling pretty good until I checked the challenge stats and WOW-- there are some people who have already logged over 50k and several who have already hit 100k... how is that possible???  we are only 2 days into the challenge.  I dont want this to discourage me but I am just curious how anyone can log that many meters in 2 days???<br /><br />I feel bad that my rowing might drag down the meters per rower in our team...  I was going to shoot for 100k-125k for the month which I thought would be admirable  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />I agree with Linda that the JVC is not just about the meters. I find the challenges motivate me to want to row each day - maybe even a few extra meters than I might have otherwise done. I usually try to do 5 - 6K five days a week. With the challenge, I'm more apt to go for the 6K than just making 5K. <br /><br />I wouldn't worry at all about dragging anyone down. You're rowing and that is what is important. I have absolutely no idea how some of those people do as many meters as they do. In the 31 days of the HC there were people with over a million. All I can figure is they must sit on the rower all day. Maybe they've learned to row in their sleep

[[old] rspenger]

<!--QuoteBegin-lauriestahl+Jan 3 2006, 07:21 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(lauriestahl @ Jan 3 2006, 07:21 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />Can someone else speak to meters/rower? <br /> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Right now, I like it.<br /><br />Bob S.

[[old] woolsmith]

<!--QuoteBegin-LindaM+Jan 3 2006, 11:18 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(LindaM @ Jan 3 2006, 11:18 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The Challenges and competitions are all about winning - every one of us winning.  So what is winning?  Winning is finding the motivation to care as much about myself as all the other loved ones in my life.  Winning is remembering to eat well and thoughtfully.  Winning is doing something physical that gets my heart beating faster for at least a half an hour a day.  Winning is having fun and making friends - feeling less alone with the stresses and obligations of life.  Meters and rankings somehow remind me of those more important ways of winning.  But honestly, winning is not at all about meters or ranking for me. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Harley Duck, this was great. I'm printing it out and popping it up on the BB by my computer! <br /><br />Lots of other great inspiration and motivation in those other posts as well, thanks y'all!<br /><br />--Jen in WI

[[old] LandLocked]

For me the January challenge is a chance to surpass the meters I rowed in the holiday challenge. I didn’t make the 10,000 meter level by about 30,000 meters. I’m trying a different plan for this month and hopefully it will work out better. Also I won’t be going out of town this month.

[[old] tigger2esq]

thanks for all of the encouragement. I have been going strong this week! rowed every day but one and to make up for it I rowed twice today! woohoo! staying focused on my own goals and not worrying about what everyone else is doing has really helped!<br /><br /><br />oh... I got a bathing suit in the mail this week. ugh. now I have a definite goal to work towards becuase I refuse to send it back!! LOL!<br />

[[old] woolsmith]

<!--QuoteBegin-tigger2esq+Jan 8 2006, 10:23 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tigger2esq @ Jan 8 2006, 10:23 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->thanks for all of the encouragement.  I have been going strong this week! rowed every day but  one and to make up for it I rowed twice today! woohoo! staying focused on my own goals and not worrying about what everyone else is doing has really helped!<br /><br /><br />oh... I got a bathing suit in the mail this week. ugh.  now I have a definite goal to work towards becuase I refuse to send it back!! LOL! <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Nice work, tigger2esq! That's the right way to do it, too, what works best and feels right for you. You'll give yourself your own goals and challenges. Like that bathing suit, for example.... <br /><br />You go, girl!<br /><br />--Jen in WI